The government has extended the existing multi-tiered public activity restrictions (PPKM) until Aug. 9, claiming that the curbs have contributed to the decline in case numbers and helped ease pressure on hospitals.
he government has extended the existing multi-tiered public activity restrictions (PPKM) until Aug. 9, claiming that the curbs have contributed to the decline in case numbers and helped ease pressure on hospitals.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said the decision came after policymakers had seen “nationwide improvements” from the current restrictions, with daily COVID-19 cases trending downward and the bed occupancy rate (BOR) in hospitals declining in several regions.
“Considering the developments of some indicators, the government decided to continue the level 4 PPKM from Aug. 3 to 9 in certain cities and regions,” Jokowi said on Monday, adding that the mobility and activity curbs would be adjusted to the conditions of each region.
The President was referring to the highest level of the government’s four-tier PPKM system, which is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
Level 4 restrictions are in place in regencies or cities with more than 150 confirmed cases per 100,000 people per week, a hospitalization rate of more than 30 patients per 100,000 people per week and a mortality rate of more than five deaths per 100,000 people per week. Areas with a positivity rate over 15 percent, a BOR over 80 percent and with tracing capabilities of less than 5 people per COVID-19 case also qualify for level 4 curbs.
Read also: Government seeks to simplify curbs regime with name change
The extension came after the government eased some of the restrictions on July 25 in a move to support small businesses, such as allowing traditional markets that sell essential goods to operate until 8 p.m. and increasing their maximum capacity to 50 percent, among other relaxation measures.
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